Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2017-04-19T14:59:41Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) TESE-ANGELALIMAPERES.pdf: 34877413 bytes, checksum: 3e0893cb09c8a391dcdb23c9255f03f5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-19T14:59:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) TESE-ANGELALIMAPERES.pdf: 34877413 bytes, checksum: 3e0893cb09c8a391dcdb23c9255f03f5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-06-16 / A definição de estratégias ou modelos que descrevam objetivos e melhores práticas a serem seguidas são importantes referências no estabelecimento de processos de desenvolvimento para empresas de diferentes portes. A adoção crescente de métodos ágeis e a importância também crescente da inclusão de práticas do design da experiência no processo de desenvolvimento em métodos ágeis têm despertado interesse da comunidade científica, pois ainda são poucos os modelos e estratégias que prescrevem como esta adoção pode ser realizada de forma conjunta. Para empresas de pequeno e médio porte, os desafios são maiores, pois os cenários que atuam são de enfrentamento de várias restrições quanto ao orçamento, recursos materiais e humanos. Esta tese tem como objetivo propor uma estratégia para incorporação das práticas do design de experiência no ciclo de desenvolvimento de software, em empresas de pequeno e médio porte da industria de software que adotam metodologias ágeis, a partir da observação de restrições e pontencialidades das práticas sugeridas na literatura. Adotamos um paradigma qualitativo de pesquisa de forma a observar, analisar e interpretar as práticas dos sujeitos na tentativa de compreensão do fenômeno investigado. Um estudo de campo envolveu trinta profissionais que analisaram as práticas sugeridas na literatura, em seu contexto de trabalho, e avaliaram a estratégia proposta. Os resultados sugerem que uma estratégia que permita a seleção, adoção, capacitação e monitoramento de práticas, técnicas e artefatos de forma a atender organizações de menor porte pode promover a inclusão e apropriação destas práticas no estabelecimento do processo da organização, observando as restrições de recursos no contexto estudado. Ao final, foi possível propor uma estratégia que oriente e facilite a apropriação das práticas por organizações de pequeno e médio porte. A contribuição principal da tese consiste, portanto, em uma estratégia que permita melhorias no processo de apropriação do design da experiência no cenário de metodologias ágeis em pequenas e médias empresas de tecnologia da informação. / The definition of strategies or models that describe objectives and best practices to follow are relevant references in establishing development processes for companies of different sizes. The increasing adoption of Agile methods and also increasing the importance of the inclusion of the experience design practices in the development process in agile methods have attracted interest from the scientific community because few models and strategies prescribe how this adoption can be carried out together. For small and medium-sized companies, the challenges are greater, because the scenarios that act are facing several constraints on the budget, material, and human resources. This thesis aims to propose a strategy for incorporating the experience design practices in the software development cycle, in small and medium-sized businesses software industry to adopt agile methodologies, from the observation of restrictions and potentialities of the suggested practices in literature. We adopted a qualitative paradigm form of research to observe, analyze and interpret the practices of the subject in an attempt to understand the phenomenon investigated. A field study involved thirty professionals who analyzed practices suggested in the literature in their work context and evaluated the proposed strategy. The results suggest that a strategy for the selection, adoption, training and monitoring practices, techniques and forms to suit smaller organizations artifacts can promote inclusion and appropriation of these practices in the establishment of the organization process, noting the resource constraints in the context studied. In the end, it was possible to propose a strategy to guide and facilitate the appropriation of practices for small and medium-sized organizations. The main contribution of this thesis is, therefore, a strategy to improvements in the process of design experience appropriation in the scenario of agile methodologies in small and medium enterprises of information technology.

Nesta tese foi realizada uma pesquisa identificando a relação entre o Grau de internacionalização das Pequenas e Médias Empresas (PMEs) brasileiras e o desempenho financeiro e operacional, utilizando as competências internacionais como um fator mediador. Por meio de uma survey aplicada em 114 empresas de até 200 funcionários, esta pesquisa identificou que as PMEs brasileiras estão aumentando o seu Grau de Internacionalização (GRI), passando a investir diretamente no exterior (IDE). Das empresas entrevistas, 44 possuem algum tipo de IDE, como escritórios, centros de distribuição até fábricas no exterior. Com a amostra de 114 PMEs brasileiras, testou-se e se confirmou a hipótese que o aumento do GRI desenvolve novas competências e melhora o desempenho organizacional. Devido à utilização de construtos de natureza complexa, a existência de erros e a necessidade de se identificar múltiplas relações simultaneamente, a modelagem de equações estruturais (SEM) foi utilizada como técnica estatística. Uma vez identificada a relação significativa do modelo inicial proposto, outros modelos concorrentes foram analisados a fim de identificar outras relações entre as variáveis pesquisadas. Para estimar os parâmetros iniciais, utilizou-se o método de estimação de máxima verossimilhança (MV) assumindo a distribuição multivariada normal (HAIR JR. et al., 2009). Os construtos do modelo final explicaram 70% da variabilidade dos dados e foi composto por três variáveis latentes, sendo a variável GRI uma variável exógena, e competência e desempenho, variáveis endógenas. Os resultados demonstram que há uma relação direta e positiva do GRI com o desenvolvimento de novas competências e com um melhor desempenho na PME. Especificamente, há uma relação maior do GRI com o desenvolvimento de novas competências no concernente ao melhor desempenho operacional nas PMEs do que no que tange ao aumento do desempenho financeiro. No entanto, quando se verificou a relação entre o GRI e o desempenho financeiro e operacional sem a mediação do desenvolvimento de novas competências, o modelo não se mostrou significativo, corroborando os resultados de outras pesquisas internacionais que identificaram que o melhor desempenho financeiro e operacional não será alcançado somente pelo aumento do grau de internacionalização. (SETHI; JUDGE, 2009; PORTER, 1990; ZAHRA et al., 2000; FLEURY; FLEURY, 2004; GHOSHAK, 1987; GRANT, 1987; QIAN, 2002; PANGARKAR, 2008; CAMISÓN; VILLAR-LÓPEZ, 2010). Os resultados desta pesquisa indicam que com o aumento do grau de internacionalização a PME desenvolve novas competências e assim apresenta um desempenho superior. A relação de mediação do desenvolvimento de novas competências entre o aumento do GRI e o desempenho organizacional explora uma nova abordagem nos negócios internacionais, principalmente para as PMEs. / In this thesis, we conducted a survey identifying the relationship between the degree of internationalization of Brazilians Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and financial and operational performance by using international competences as a mediating factor. Through a survey applied to 114 companies with up to 200 employees, this survey has identified that Brazilian SMEs are increasing their Degree of Internationalization (GRI) by starting to invest directly abroad (FDI). Out of the companies interviewed, 44 have some form of FDI, such as offices, distribution centers and even factories abroad. With this sampling of 114 Brazilian SMEs, the hypothesis that by increasing the GRI new competences are developed and organizational performance is improved has been tested and confirmed. Due to the use of constructs of a complex nature, the existence of errors and the need to identify multiple relationships simultaneously, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used as a statistical technique. Once the significant relationship of the initial model proposed was identified, other competing models were examined in order to identify other relationships between the variables researched. We used the maximum likelihood estimation method (ML) to estimate the initial parameters by assuming a normal multivariate distribution (Hair Jr. et al., 2009). The constructs of the final model explained 70% of the data variability and was comprised of three latent variables, with the GRI variable as an exogenous variable, and competence and performance as endogenous variables. Results show that there is a direct and positive relationship of the GRI with the development of new competences and better performance in SMCs. Specifically, there is a higher ratio of GRI with the development of new competences with regard to improved operational performance in SMCs than in relation to increased financial performance. However, when the relationship between the GRI and the financial and operational performance without the mediation of the development of new competences was examined, the model did not turn out to be significant, corroborating the results of other international studies which identified that the best financial and operational performance will not be achieved just by increasing the degree of internationalization (SETHI; JUDGE, 2009; PORTER, 1990; ZAHRA et al., 2000; FLEURY; FLEURY, 2004; GHOSHAK, 1987; GRANT, 1987; QIAN, 2002; PANGARKAR, 2008; CAMISÓN; VILLAR-LÓPEZ, 2010). These results indicate that by increasing their degree of internationalization, the SMEs develop new competences and therefore display superior performance. The mediation relationship of the development of new competences between the increase of GRI and the organizational performance explores a new approach in international business, especially for SMEs.

Orientador: Luiz Carlos Zeferino / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T21:06:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vale_DiamaBhadraAndradePeixotodo_D.pdf: 2458866 bytes, checksum: 5cf40849bf3e978225063c3bfedc7aea (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: INTRODUÇÃO: O exame citológico ainda é o método de rastreamento mais utilizado para a prevenção do câncer do colo do útero. Apesar da sua alta eficiência na prevenção do carcinoma escamoso invasivo, esses benefícios não são tão claros para as lesões escamosas em mulheres jovens e para o adenocarcinoma invasivo. Além disso, esse efeito protetor varia de acordo com o intervalo de realização dos controles. Uma vez que o teste de HPV não é recomendado para mulheres com menos de 30 anos de idade, a avaliação cuidadosa do desempenho do rastreamento neste grupo etário pode auxiliar os médicos a selecionar criteriosamente aquelas que irão ser encaminhadas para prosseguimento diagnóstico. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o impacto do rastreamento do câncer do colo do útero na prevalência dos resultados citológicos em função da idade da mulher e do intervalo entre os controles. MÉTODOS: Foi analisado o banco de dados de um laboratório central de citopatologia. O estudo incluiu 2.002.472 testes obtidos de mulheres previamente rastreadas e 217.826 testes obtidos de mulheres não previamente rastreadas. A Razão de Prevalência (RP) com um intervalo de confiança de 95% foi calculada para os resultados de testes de mulheres rastreadas em relação aos testes de mulheres não rastreadas, em função da idade. O laboratório utiliza o Sistema de Bethesda desde 1998, mas ainda subdivide o resultado Lesão Intraepitelial de Alto Grau (HSIL) em dois níveis: HSIL-CIN 2 e HSIL-CIN 3. RESULTADOS Para HSIL, a RP dos testes de mulheres rastreadas em relação aos testes de mulheres não rastreadas foi de 0,97 (0,83-1,13) em mulheres abaixo de 20 anos e 0,99 (0,86-1,14) para mulheres entre 20 e 24 anos, diminuindo significativamente em mulheres entre 25 e 29 anos (RP 0,63, 0,52-0,76). As RP para o carcinoma espinocelular (SCC), adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) e adenocarcinoma invasivo apresentaram uma redução significativa em todos os grupos etários acima de 30 anos. Para o grupo etário 30 a 59 anos, a proteção conferida pelo rastreamento para SCC, AIS e adenocarcinoma invasivo foi de 83% ou mais, para intervalos de realização dos exames entre 1 e 5 anos. Para mais de cinco anos de intervalo, o efeito protetor oferecido para SCC foi de 50%. Nas mulheres não previamente rastreadas, a prevalência de lesões intraepiteliais de baixo grau (LSIL) e HSIL-CIN 2 diminuíram com a idade, enquanto que para HSIL-CIN 3 a prevalência aumentou. Ainda nesse grupo de testes, a prevalência de HSIL-CIN 2 foi maior do que a de HSIL-CIN 3 para mulheres de até 29 anos (RP = 4,73, 3,90-5,75) e mais baixa para os grupos de 30 a 49 anos (RP = 0,66, 0,50-0,87) e 50 anos ou mais (RP = 0.21,0.12-0.36). No grupo de testes de mulheres rastreadas, a prevalência de HSIL-CIN 2 foi maior nas faixas etárias até 29 anos (RP = 2,72, 2,49-2,97). CONCLUSÕES O rastreamento citológico reduziu a prevalência dos diagnósticos citológicos de HSIL, CEC, AIS e adenocarcinoma invasivo. Um intervalo de 3 anos para a realização dos controles foi apropriado para reduzir os resultados citológicos. O perfil da prevalência de HSIL-CIN 2 se assemelha ao padrão de prevalência de LSIL e foi mais prevalente do que HSIL-CIN 3 em mulheres jovens. O impacto do rastreamento foi menos evidente quando HSIL foi sugestivo de CIN 2. O rastreamento citológico em mulheres abaixo de 25 anos deve ser criteriosamente avaliado / Abstract: BACKGROUND Cervical cytology still is the cervical cancer screening test for women more used. Even though there is no doubt about the impact of cytology screening on invasive squamous cervical cancer, this issue is not as clear for squamous lesions on young women and for invasive adenocarcinoma. Moreover this protective effect varies according to interval tests. HPV testing is not recommended for women under age 30, and the carefully analysis of the performance of screening on this age group can help physicians to qualify their approach. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of cervical cytology screening on the prevalence of cervical cytological results in women, as a function of age and the interval between tests. METHODS A central cytopathology laboratory database for cervical screening was analyzed. It included cytology screening data of 2.002.472 tests obtained from previously screened women and 217.826 tests from unscreened women. A prevalence ratio (PR) with a 95% confidence interval for screened women was calculated, in relation to unscreened women, as a function of age. The laboratory has been using the Bethesda System since 1998, but maintain the sub-categorization of HSIL in two levels: HSIL-CIN 2 and HSIL-CIN 3. RESULTS For high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), the PR was 0.97 (0.83-1.13) for women aged 20 or younger and 0.99 (0.86-1.14) for women aged 20-24 years, decreasing significantly in women aged 25-29 years (PR 0.63, 0.52-0.76). The PR for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) and invasive adenocarcinoma showed a significant reduction in all age groups over 30 years. For the age group ranging from 30-59 years, protection conferred by screening for SCC, AIS and invasive adenocarcinoma was 83% or higher for screening intervals ranging from 1-5 years. For 5-year intervals or longer, the protective effect offered for SCC was 50%. For unscreened women, the prevalence of Low Grade Intraepithelial Lesions (LSIL) and HSIL-CIN 2 decreased with age, whereas HSIL-CIN 3 prevalence increased. The prevalence of HSIL-CIN 2 was higher than that of HSIL-CIN 3 for women up to 29 years (PR=4.73, 3.90-5.75) and lower for age groups 30-49 years (PR=0.66, 0.50-0.87) and 50 years or more (PR=0.21,0.12-0.36). For screened women, the prevalence of HSIL-CIN 2 was also higher in age groups up to 29 years (PR=2.72, 2.49-2.97). CONCLUSIONS Cytology screening reduced the prevalence of HSIL, SCC, AIS and invasive adenocarcinoma cytological results. A three-year interval was appropriate for the reduction of these lesions. HSIL-CIN 2 resembles the prevalence pattern of LSIL and was more prevalent than HSIL-CIN 3 in younger women. The impact of screening was less evident when HSIL is suggestive of CIN 2. Cervical cytology screening in women 25 or younger should be critically evaluated / Doutorado / Oncologia Ginecológica e Mamária / Doutora em Ciências da Saúde

Abstract Information and communication technology are among the fastest growing industry sectors globally. One enabler for fast grow is created standards, which enables compatibility between technologies. This dissertation aims to create new knowledge concerning how standardization affects businesses that develop and sell technologies and technology-based products and services. More precisely this study focuses on the wireless telecommunication, which needs standards to function globally. This globalization and standardization development sets requirements for companies and organizations in the business; they are expected to be flexible, innovative, efficient, international, well resourced and cooperative. In order to achieve this on a global scale multiple actors – such as manufacturers, operators and developers – need to negotiate with a number of regional standardization bodies. The standardization environment is under constant change; however, standards as such should remain stable. Understanding standardization processes has become important because new technologies, new forms of business organizations, trade issues and new institutions are emerging. All actors' in the standardization process should more thoroughly understand their role in the process, and recognize the important relations between the stages. From the actors' point of view the most beneficial issue in the wireless standardization process are networking and legitimacy of the process. In this research we are interested in researching empirically how actors' can possibly benefit from standardization processes in their businesses. As actors' we regard as manufacturers, operators, regulators, standardization organizations and SMEs. It is important to identify key factors/inhibitors that shape the standardization process from the actors' point of view. The theoretical framework of this study is built on the institutional theory. This theory provides a perspective as to how the actors can assimilate and act as part of the standardization environment. The broad reach of the institutional perspective is its major strength, making it potentially relevant to all levels of analyzis and all time spans, from micro-level interactions to large-scale changes in nation-states. Standardization creates opportunities for actors such as market and technology insights, internationalizing, and networking. The a priori dynamic process model developed shows the complexity and length of the wireless standardization process. From the process point of view the important points are the openness of the process, networking, cooperation, technological points and changes in the process. The new points which arose from the material include IPR issues, research, open atmosphere, globalization, licensing issues, flexible working procedure and interpretation of standards and document management. The empirical data of this study is derived by interviews. The interviews were carried out during autumn 1998, 2000 and winter 2004. 35 experts were interviewed from different bodies involved in 3rd generation wireless standardization and software companies.

This study, the role of small and medium sized enterprises for economic growth, was undertaken to find out how SME sub-sector in Nigeria has performed and its impact on the economic growth of the country. Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) is accepted globally as a tool for empowering the citizenry and economic growth. It has been associated with the rapid economic growth of countries in Asia and North America. In Nigeria efforts have been made by successive governments to reduce poverty and accelerate economic growth by increasing foreign direct investment, diversifying the economy, enacting policy frameworks which favour small business ownership and sometimes initiating employment and entrepreneurship programmes. Specifically this study tends to figure out: how profitable SME business is; whether infrastructural development could be attributed to the presence of SMEs; if significant number of people are employed within the SME sector; whether the SME market has attracted banks and financial institutions with increase in loans and incentives; whether there is increase in information Technology related businesses due to presence of SMEs and if there is need for the government to encourage and develop more opportunities for SMEs. A total of 200 SMEs were randomly selected from Matori, a city in Lagos state Nigeria. A questionnaire was constructed and distributed to the selected SMEs. The responses were collated and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) analytical tool. The study reveals that while SME businesses are profitable problems of policy inconsistency and poor infrastructural development continuously undermine the potentials of the market. Though the presence of SMEs has attracted infrastructural development, such developments in most cases are community effort or privately driven which limits the amount of developments achieved. For example their efforts could be limited to patching and maintaining existing bad road networks but not expanding or creating new road networks. The study also revealed that financial institutions like banks are attracted to areas where SMEs are established but getting funds through these institutions via loans has not been easy due to high interest rates and harsh conditions like types of collateral to present. It was also established that SMEs are good employers of labor but not without required support and facilities. SMEs will not engage more people to work for them when their businesses do not thrive. For their businesses to thrive they need government to encourage them and develop more opportunities such opportunities could be in terms of providing infrastructures like stable power supply and good transport networks (rails and roads), easy access to finance (low interest rates), stable government policies, reducing multiple taxations, ensuring availability and access to modern technology and raw materials locally etc. The result of the study confirms existing theories in the field which support the belief that SMEs remains a tool for economic growth in Nigeria. There are enormous potentials and opportunities for SMEs in Nigeria to mature and play the crucial role of economy growth, poverty reduction, employment and wealth creation. This will entail having the government provide required supports and addressing identified problems. While the SMEs also need to change their attitudes relating to entrepreneurship development, government needs to involve the SMEs in policy formulation and execution for maximum effect. There is also need to introduce entrepreneurial studies in our Universities in Nigeria in addition to emphasizing practical and technological studies at all levels of our educational system. / +2348032001534

The successful implementation of an enterprise system requires training and end users in the new systems and procedures. There has been no research reporting a relationship between Domain Expertise (DE) and the successful implementation of an enterprise system. This study sought to begin filling this knowledge gap by exploring the relationship between DE, technical proficiency, training outcomes, and perceived training effectiveness for a new enterprise system, specifically a Case Management System (CMS) in a small and medium enterprise (SME). The research examines different subjects of technical expertise including skills, abilities, and knowledge to increase professional acceptance in the high domain of expertise field. In order to understand the complex nature of expertise and the significant impact, an exploratory approach is undertaken. Purposive sampling was utilized to select the 88 respondents to participate in the research, in which the role of domain expertise and technical expertise is explored. Based upon analysis, research showed the relevance of domain expertise and technical expertise in the deployment of successful case management systems. The results contributed to literature by showing that how training influences soft skills such as tacit knowledge on organizational culture and potential clients, deliver best solutions to the project management. Meanwhile, the outcomes provided significant traits on perceived training effectiveness, which drive increase in knowledge, practical implication, and quality of project delivered, presentation skills, communication and problem-solving abilities. The study also contributed to the literature in terms of defining how technical and domain expertise not only effect the outcomes of case management systems but also develop greater coordination for dealing the intricacies, project difficulties, and task-related complexities.

Title: Using Brand management to establish network relations: How SMEs can work with brand management in order to establish and develop corporate reputation and legitimacy in network relations in a B2B context Authors: Aasberg Pipirs Julius & Carlsson Christoffer Level: Master thesis, 30hp Keywords: Brand management, SME, Legitimacy, Corporate reputation, Network relations Background: Given the crucial role SMEs play in the modern society it is vital that knowledge is evolved that can be used to support and grow these businesses. Using brand management practices SMEs could establish and develop corporate reputation and legitimacy in network relations, which could result in higher chances of long-term survival in a B2B context. Research Question: How does working with brand management among SMEs establish, and develop, corporate reputation and legitimacy, and how do these three concepts affect the process of establishing network relations in a B2B context? Purpose: The purpose of this study is to first investigate how SMEs, in a B2B context, work with brand management and how this can establish and develop corporate reputation and legitimacy. Finally the authors wants to see how these three concepts affect the process of establishing network relations. Method: Based on an abductive research approach, a qualitative research method will be used to study six Swedish SMEs that operate in a B2B context. Primary data will be based on semi-structured interviews with managers at each company. Theoretical Framework: The current literature concerning SME brand management is presented followed by its linkages towards establishing and developing corporate reputation and legitimacy. Finally previous research concerning, the process of establishing network relations among SMEs, its relevance for SMEs, and how brand management, corporate reputation, and legitimacy could affect this process, is presented. Findings & Conclusions: Brand management offers SMEs the tools to communicate and interact with various types of stakeholders, which connects the organization to its external and internal environment. By combining this tool with a dedication of always performing above expectations, SMEs stands to efficiently establish and develop corporate reputation and legitimacy. These two constructs essentially acts as the foundation of that which network relations are built upon.

No description available.

Enterprise Resource Planning systems are business systems that are expected to integrate all the business’ processes within organization, and since ERP systems are complex and re-quire extensive changes in the organization, it is crucial that the implementation is success-ful. However, the implementation of ERP systems is described as both risky and complex projects. The purpose of this master thesis is to investigate the importance of different critical success factors across the ERP project life cycle within SMEs. Furthermore, we will compare our findings to see if there are differences between larger corporations in the USA and SMEs in the county of Jönköping, Sweden and try to explain the potential differences. In order to fulfill our purpose, we used a quantitative approach to collect primary data from the SMEs in the county of Jönköping. Our data was thereafter qualitatively analyzed in order to describe our findings. The conclusions drawn in this thesis is that the following critical success factors are per-ceived to be most important within the SMEs investigated: • Infusion stage: Careful selection of package • Adoption stage: Top management support • Adaptation stage: Project champion • Acceptance stage: Project champion • Routinization stage: Education on new business processes • Infusion stage: Vendor support. It was apparent that the critical success factors identified in our research differed from the critical success factors identified for the Fortune 500 companies in the USA. However, we have failed to find any valid and reliable reasons for the differences even though we have discussed possible reasons for them.

Denna uppsats behandlar e-fakturering och hur små företag ser på ett framtida användande av e-fakturering när en ny standard är på väg att lanseras. Vi har valt att undersöka huruvida små företag ser några fördelar med att börja använda e-fakturering jämfört med den traditionella pappersexercisen. Den nya standarden svenska bankföreningen i samarbete med de svenska storbankerna utvecklar, är tänkt att underlätta för användarna och företagarna så att dessa skall kunna sänka sina kostnader per faktura samt i ett längre perspektiv förenkla hanteringen. De teorier som presenteras i arbetet beskriver begreppet e-faktura, samt andra begrepp kopplade till detsamma. De använda teorierna, kopplat till frågeställningarna och syftet, utgjorde sedan grunden till de frågor vi skapat för att ställa vid intervjuer med olika småföretagare i Jönköpingsregionen. De intervjuer som genomfördes skedde antingen genom personliga möten med nyckelpersoner ute hos företagen eller genom telefonintervjuer. Frågorna berörde hur företagen ställer sig till e-fakturering, huruvida de ser fördelar och vilka eventuella fördelar de anser viktigast för just dem. Den efterföljande analysen utfördes genom att jämföra svaren mot uppsatsens huvudfrågeställningar, något vi även gjorde med teorierna. Därefter jämförde vi det empiriska materialet mot det som skrevs i teorin. Några av slutsatserna vi dragit är att företagen ser positivt på en ny standard för e-fakturering samt att företagen inte känner någon större oro rörande implementationen av standarden. Detta då väldigt många arbetar i standardiserade affärssystem. Vi kom fram till att företag med större mängder fakturor har större nytta av e-fakturering, främst när det kommer till att minska arbetsbördan och i slutändan även kostnaden per faktura. / This thesis discuss e-invoicing and what view small businesses has on a future use of e-invoicing as a new standard is about to be launched/introduced. Our attempt has been to examine whether SME’s see possible advantages through use of e-invoicing compared to traditional paperwork. The new standard, a joint initiative between Svenska Bankföreningen and the major Swedish banks, is set to make it easier for users, the businesses, to reduce cost of invoices and, in a longer perspective, ease the way in which they are handled. The theories presented in the thesis describe the concept of e-invoicing and concepts linked to it. Theories collected, linked with research questions and the purpose of the thesis became the foundation when questions for interviews, to ask SME’s in the Jönköping region, were created. Interviews were carried out either through personal meetings with key informants at their respective offices or through telephone interviews. The questions touched respective business view on e-invoicing, whether they see any advantages and what advantages was considered most important to them. The analysis was performed through analyzing the presented theories to our research questions independent of what was found during the interviews. The empirical findings were analyzed in the same manor and summed up through a comparison of the theories and the empirical findings. Some of the conclusions we made were that the businesses are positive concerning a new standard for e-invoices as well as them not being worried over the implementation of the standard, due to most of them having standardized information systems. Furthermore we believe businesses handling larger quantities of invoices will gain more from use of e-invoicing, mainly concerning workload and, in the long run reducing cost per invoice.